Kryvolapov M. Ukrainian art of the 20-th century in fine art criticism. Theory. History. Fine art practice

The proposed monograph is presented as a dissertation for obtaining scientific degree of doctor of science (art criticism). The author is the first, who, on the base of the facts, has systematized, analyzed and traced the processes, which took place in Ukrainian fine arts during the 20-th century and which were reflected and estimated in art criticism. The author defined what is "fine art criticism", its specific features and its place in the system of art criticism. The five periods of development of fine arts criticism are considered in monograph: the beginning of 20-th century, the period of creation of aes-thetic backgrounds and idea contents; from 1920 to 1930, the period of formation of new tendencies in fine arts; from 1930-1950, the period of Stalin's totalitarian regime and period of thaw and democratic development; from 1960-1980; and from 1980 to 1990. On the base of analyzed events and facts, which took place in fine arts and art criticism at the 20-th century, the main achievements and losses of national fine art cul-ture are exposed. The author focuses on the fact how the social and political events in-fluenced on the position of art criticism, which evaluated the arts tendencies. The author raises a question about the moral responsibility of art critics for the consequences of their activity. The attention is paid to the essence of communist party politic in arts, which had fatal consequences for the freedom of creation and independent critical ideas, which were limited by the method of socialist realism.